Garter



(No Model.)

G. G. SHELBY.

GARTBR.

Patented Nov. 2, 1886..

//V VENTOI? W/T 8858 a? 6.

N FUEHS, PhoQo-Lilhogmphur. Washington. D. c.

, i UNITED STATES PATENT .OFFICE.

CHRISTOPHER C. SHELBY, OF PATERSON, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO THE CANFIELD RUBBERCOMPANY, OF BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT.

GARTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 352,010, dated November 2,1886.

Application filed August 14, 1886. Serial No. 210,908. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Beitknown that I, CHRISTOPHER G. SHE LBY, of Paterson, in the county of Passaic and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Garters; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to an improvement in garters.

Hitherto in that type of garters adapted to partially embrace the leg, and by their attachment to the stocking at two points, a semi-circumference' (more or less) apart, to draw the stocking into such close contact with the leg as to hold it in position, a pair of shield pin clasps have been secured, one at each end of an elastic strap, or hook-clasps have been permanently secured one at each end of an elas tic strap. Such constructions have, however, been found somewhat objectionable, because of the tendency of the elastic to gradually stretch, and the clasps thereby required to be attached too near together, and because of the many sizes of legs and the different positions on the legs at which it was desirable to attach the garter, there being no provision made for the ready taking up or lengthening of the elastic straps.- r

The object of my present invention is to provide a garter which may be attached to and detached from a stocking in an instant, and which may be readily adjusted in length to suit the size of the leg or to embrace as much or as little of the leg as may bedesired.

A further object is to provide a neat, durable, and inexpensive garter adapted to the wants of the masses. With these ends in viewmy invention consists in certain features of construction and combinations of parts, as will be hereinafter described, and pointed out in the claims. V

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a view of the garter as it appears in use. Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view, and Fig. '3 is a detached View, of one of the clasps. modification.

A represents a short strip of elastic webbing or other suitable elastic material, having its ends preferably bound with narrow pieces of Fig. 4 is a metal, a, crimped or otherwise securedthereto.

' The ends might, however, be bound with fabric, or hemmed, or otherwise prevented from raveling.

Each end of the elastic is provided with a slidinghook-clasp constructed as follows: Four parallel bars, BC'D E, are united attheir ends by bars F, which project a short distance toward the end of the strap A and are turned 6c under, forming hooksf. The parallel bars B,

O, D, and E are located a short distance apart, leaving elongated slots b, c, and d between them large enough to freely admit the strap A.

The clasp is advantageously constructed by stamping or cutting it out of a thin sheet of metal, leaving theprojections on the ends suffi ciently long to be subsequently bent into the hooks f, and its outer face may be ornamented and its back bar, B, cut in a neat attractive form. v

The end of the strap Ais passed up through the slot 12, over the bar C, down through the slot 0, under the bar-D, and up through the slot (Z. The grip which the edges of the bars B, O, D, and E have upon the strap A when the latter is distended is sufficient to hold the strap from slipping through the clasp, while when the strap is not under strain it may be freely slipped through the clasp and taken up or let out, as may be desired.

Aside from the advantages derived from the adjustable clasps in shortening or lengthening the distancebetween them, the projecting ends of the straps form a very convenient hold for the-thumb and finger in adjusting the garter to or releasing it from the stocking. For example, to adjust the strap take an end between the thumb and finger of each hand and place the hooks of the clasps in contact with 0 the stocking on each side of the leg, with the strap distended. As soon as the hooks catch letgo the ends, when the strap will contract, drawing the stocking snugly against the leg and holding it inposition, but not stopping 5 the circulation, as in the case of an elastic completely encircling the leg.

To release the garter grasp the ends, as. above, and distend it sufficiently to release the hooks. To further insure a hold for the thumb and finger in adjusting the clasp when the elastic IOO is taken up, so that its ends do not project far enough for a convenient hold, the bar E is projected outwardly between the hooks f and turned up a little, as shown at e, or a curved bail might be soldered to the edge of the plate between the hooks, as shown in Fig. 4, or an extension of the plate might be cut out, forming the bail integral with the plate, and the edge of the bail turned up to afford a secure 10 hold. This furnishes at all times a convenient hold in adjusting the garter.

It is evident that slight changes might be resorted to in the form and arrangement of the several parts without departingfrom the spirit 1 5 and scope of my invention; hence I do not wish to limit myself strictly to the construction herein setforth; but,

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters 20 Patent, is

1. In a garter, the combination, with a strap, of a pair of clasps adjustably secured one at each end of the strap, each clasp having in- Wardly-projecting rigid hooks adapted to engage the stocking, substantially as set forth. 25

2. A garter-clasp provided with a pair of hooks, the outer end of the clasp being extended beyond the hooks and turned up to afford a hold for the thumb and finger in releasing and adjusting it, substantially as set forth. 0

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CHRISTOPHER C. SHELBY.

Vitnesses:

S. VAN ZANDT, RATCLIFFE HICKS. 

